Concerning the expences of copying and packing it is not possible to fix him before hand, they are at any rate not considerable, and you’ll please to consider that you have to deal with a man of honor, who will not charge one 6p. more than he is charged for himself.  Messrs. Fries & Co. will account with Messrs. Coutts & Co.—­The postage may be lessened as I have been told.  I offer you of my Works the following new ones.  A Grand Sonata for the Pianoforte alone L40.  A Trio for the Piano with accomp’t of Violin and Violoncello for L50.  It is possible that somebody will offer you other works of mine to purchase, for ex. the score of the Grand Symphony in A.—­With regard to the arrangement of this Symphony for the Piano I beg you not to forget that you are not to publish it until I have appointed the day of its publication here in Vienna.  This cannot be otherwise without making myself guilty of a dishonorable act—­but the Sonata with the Violin and the Trio in B fl. may be published without any delay.

With all the new works, which you will have of me or which I offer you, it rests with you to name the day of their publication at your own choice:  I entreat you to honor me as soon as possible with an answer having many ordres for compositions and that you may not be delayed.  My address or direction is

Monsieur Louis van Beethoven

No. 1055 & 1056 Sailerstette 3d.  Stock.  Vienna.

You may send your letter, if you please, direct to your most humble servant

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

192.

TO ZMESKALL.

Oct. 24, 1816.

WELL BORN, AND YET EVIL BORN! (AS WE ALL ARE!)

We are in Baden to-day, and intend to bring the celebrated naturalist Ribini a collection of dead leaves.  To-morrow we purpose paying you not only a visit but a visitation.

Your devoted

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN.

193.

TO THE ARCHDUKE RUDOLPH.

November, 1816.[1]

I have been again much worse, so that I can only venture to go out a little in the daytime; I am, however, getting better, and hope now to have the honor of waiting on Y.R.H. three times a week.  Meanwhile, I have many and great cares in these terrible times (which surpass anything we have ever experienced), and which are further augmented by having become the father since last November of a poor orphan.  All this tends to retard my entire restoration to health.  I wish Y.R.H. all imaginable good and happiness, and beg you will graciously receive and not misinterpret

Your, &c., &c.

[K.]

[Footnote 1:  A year after Carl von Beethoven’s death (Nov. 15, 1815).]

194.

TO FREIHERR VON SCHWEIGER.

BEST!

MOST AMIABLE!

FIRST AND FOREMOST TURNER MEISTER OF EUROPE!